U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Huntsville's role in the U.S. space program began in the 1950s, when a team of scientists designed and tested the rockets that eventually put man on the moon. This led to the establishment of NASA's first public location for visitors, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which opened in 1970.

Today, the center is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and one of Alabama's top attractions, housing the 363-foot Apollo-era Saturn V rocket and hundreds of artifacts from mankind's journeys to space. Simulators such as the Space Shot and G-Force Accelerator let visitors experience what it's like to be an astronaut. The center also hosts highly popular programs like Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, which each year attract students from all over the world who are interested in careers in science, math, engineering, robotics, aerospace and aviation.

Science & Discovery Centers

As a state known for medicine, manufacturing and natural beauty, it makes sense that Alabama's science museums and education centers would provide a wide range of information and interactive experiences.

Spend a day at McWane Science Center, home of an IMAX dome theater and four floors of interactive exhibits. Or see North American animals in realistic settings at the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum in Montgomery, where three-sided viewing provides personal encounters. Visit other unique attractions such as the Southern Museum of Flight, the Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences and the Southern Environmental Center.

From wildlife to aircraft, Alabama's science and education scene offers a little something for everyone – whether you're looking to learn a little or just have a lot of fun.

Zoos & Aquariums

For an up-close look at nature, visit one of Alabama's zoos, wildlife centers, aquariums, estuariums, aviaries or petting zoos. These facilities are fun for the whole family and can be a great way to learn more about your favorite vacation spot. For example, while visiting the beach, take a trip to the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab for a primer on the key habitats of coastal Alabama and the creatures who inhabit them.

And of course no trip to central Alabama is complete without a stop at the Birmingham Zoo, our state's most popular attraction. More than 500,000 people visit the 120-acre zoo each year to experience life on the African savannah, splash in the children's fountains and see hundreds of species from around the world.